Patna: Stone-pelting at moving trains is emerging as a growing safety threat across India, with railway authorities warning of an alarming rise in cases involving minors. Officials say the acts, often carried out for social media videos or thrills, are putting passengers at serious risk and damaging public property.
Data released by the Indian Railways show that between July and December last year, 1,698 incidents of stone-pelting were reported nationwide. During the same period, 665 people were arrested in connection with the offences. Authorities describe the figures as evidence of a worsening trend that demands stricter enforcement and community awareness.
The East Central Railway (ECR), which covers large parts of Bihar, was the second-most affected zone, recording 219 cases. The Northern Railway topped the list with 363 incidents. Other heavily impacted regions included the South Central Railway (140), North Central Railway (126), Western Railway (116) and Southern Railway (108). Officials say the repeated attacks not only endanger lives but also disrupt services and result in costly repairs.
Investigations suggest that juveniles are increasingly involved , with some gathering along track sides to throw stones at passing trains. In several cases, the acts were reportedly filmed for short social media “reels”, turning what authorities call a criminal offence into a reckless form of entertainment. Railway staff warn that even a small stone can shatter windows, injure passengers and cause panic inside coaches.
In response, the Railways have expanded surveillance in vulnerable stretches. Measures include the installation of CCTV cameras, drone monitoring, and joint patrols by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP). Special watch is being maintained in locations where incidents frequently recur.
Saraswati Chandra, chief public relations officer of East Central Railway, said stone-pelting is treated as a serious criminal act, with FIRs and arrests made in every confirmed case. She urged parents and local communities to intervene early and discourage minors from participating in such behaviour, stressing that prevention is as important as enforcement.
Railway officials say protecting passengers remains the top priority, but they acknowledge that curbing the trend will require not just policing, but awareness about the potentially fatal consequences of what many young people perceive as harmless mischief.
